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Everybody loves Raymond

Chelmsford High goalkeeper an intimidating last line of defense

By Carmine Frongillo, cfrongillo@lowellsun.com

Updated:
09/18/2012 10:42:54 AM EDT

CHELMSFORD -- Brianna Raymond plays one of the most mentally-demanding positions in high school sports.

There are times when Chelmsford High's goalkeeper is surrounded by chaos, but Raymond never loses her focus, an acrobat in cleats whose composure remains calm as a lagoon, no matter how many shots are launched in her direction.

Since Raymond made the switch from forward to keeper after her freshman season, the Lions' last line of defense has been rock-solid.

Not only does she make all the saves that matter, Raymond is a calming presence who allows her teammates to go out and play without the fear of their mistakes ending up in the net.

"She is the quarterback of our defense," said Chelmsford coach Anne Marinaro. "During a game she's giving direction and guidance all over the field. Our defense always seems to be composed because she's behind them providing leadership and support. I see her as an extension of me. She's our field coach.

"She tells the girls exactly where to go and exactly what to do. She has great vision and great soccer smarts. She's really smart and intelligent. She sees the field very well, and has great anticipation. She works very hard. We count on her to make big saves."

Chelmsford's senior co-captain hasn't stopped every shot she's faced in the early going this season, but she's come close. The Lions are off to a 3-1-1 start and Raymond has registered three shutouts with a goals against average under 1.00.

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"I would say I'm an aggressive goalie," said Raymond, who stands 5-foot-8. "I really like to come out and challenge a shooter. I think that's one of the hardest things for a goalie, deciding when to come out. But being aggressive really helps.

"I love playing good teams where I face a lot of shots. I hear people say they would never want to be a goalie, but I love the pressure that comes with trying to make a save."

Raymond, an MVC All-Conference selection her sophomore and junior seasons, has continually risen to the occasion.

She was named the MVC's Goalkeeper of the Year last fall, finishing the season with 11 shutouts, allowing only 25 goals in 23 games, as Chelmsford checked in with a 14-6-3 record and advanced to the Division 1 North Sectional final.

She was at her best in the postseason. In a state tournament win over perennial power Lincoln-Sudbury, Raymond made 17 saves in a 1-0 victory decided on penalty kicks.

"Our goal last year was to make the state tournament and we really couldn't have done it without her," said Marinaro. "She was spectacular. She kept us in some amazing games. She was fantastic in the tournament. She made saves that won games for us."

Raymond is a winger on Chelmsford's girls hockey team. She spends her falls stopping goals -- and her winters scoring them. She was an MVC All-Star in hockey last season.

"I was a little reluctant to play goal at first, but not too much," said Raymond, who was named Chelmsford's Outstanding Defensive Player in soccer last year. "I was a forward (in soccer) and missed scoring goals. But that aggressiveness I had at forward followed me to the net.

"I think like a forward in net and that helps a lot. One of my favorite things as a goalie is penalty kicks. I used to love taking them. Now I love stopping them. I think there's more pressure on the player than the goalie. That gets me really pumped up."

The Lions have been hit hard by injuries in the early going, as five starters are sidelined. So Raymond is also being counted on to keep the team's emotional compass pointed in the right direction.

"I just go out and play my game," said Raymond, who credits the support she gets from her parents and siblings as playing an important role in her development as an athlete and person. "This team does a really good job stepping up when it needs to. We have some talented young players who bring a lot to the team and everyone is starting to mesh."

Raymond hasn't finalized her college plans, but hopes to continue her soccer career at a Division 2 or 3 school. Franklin Pierce and UMass Lowell are among the colleges she is interested in attending.

"She is very solid, very strong," said Marinaro. "She is very quick on her feet. She does a great job getting to air balls. She's good on low balls as well. She's a great leader on and off the field.

"I think at the right Division 2 school she would be fantastic. Once she gets to the college level and is trained by a goaltending coach she will reach even new heights. She's just a wholesome, hard-working, good kid. I hope she goes far."

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